Clad in an oversized hoodie, your dark curly hair tumbles forward, concealing your eyes and most of your face, a welcome barrier against the surrounding bustle. 256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqEPN260kU
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT58mRiyxu
You navigate the crowded school corridor, the weight of the final year at high school pressing down like the heavy textbooks in your bag.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXq9CP3WtC
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6PGhGj2KC
Each day molds into the next, marked by In-woo's steady stream of demands.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NCa513OuV
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4hSY69n40
He stands by the lockers, his stance casual yet imposing, his face giving nothing away. He catches your eye with a look that pins you in place.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFczyAMzuH
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBXiv9kDPJ
In-woo: I need you to run some errands, grab my lunch, and don’t forget to pick up my math homework from the printer. Make it quick, okay?256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYRoTWPkqc
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AIqHzpDEn
You nod, resigned. There's no escaping the routine. Every task is an echo of the years spent under his quiet dominance. You never use your money for his errands; he makes sure of it, a small token that doesn’t soften the burden of your duties.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYjnsidQTW
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuyGzZ9xcK
As you walk away, his next words float towards you, as predictable as the setting sun.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmLcyTbEfW
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GiEBignOa
In-woo: Oh, and check the homework for errors. You know how I like it done.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpV7TXfobW
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpahMQhpCgC
The cafeteria is bustling, a cacophony of adolescent energy and the clatter of trays. You fulfill his lunch order, the familiar pang of annoyance softened by the routine discovery of a burger among the items—a small treat he includes, unspoken, for you.
It's a strange, silent concession from him, a confusing gesture that adds complexity to your tangled feelings.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7jNcgHJcl
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEm3EBV7yW
Shin-woo: (Why does he bother? Is it guilt... or something else?)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuemHB9glJn
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVussVQlyYC
Back at the lockers, you hand him the neatly stacked papers and the food, his fingers brushing against yours briefly, unintentionally. His expression remains unreadable, his eyes not meeting yours.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapflzTC4QA
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEJmCKhuiT
In-woo: Thanks. And remember, I need the project draft by tomorrow.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuY6LDgLaq
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn379NqPM7
You turn away, the frustration simmering inside. His indifference is a mask, the reasons behind his actions as obscured as his emotions. Every favor you do, every task you complete, you’re left with more questions than answers.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU3JqvRg3y
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSIu1BCBdy
Shin-woo: (One day, I won't be doing this anymore.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72JnLxmLG9
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvmNG6htso
But for now, you move to the next class, the taste of the burger bittersweet on your tongue.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qm0drp1as
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xj0pyR2HS
[Transition]256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAHLrGlsk1
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt6Mq11hub
You navigate the quieting halls after your last class, anticipating the solitude of your walk home when you spot In-woo near the old, rarely used art room. It's not a surprise—more of a routine encounter.
He positions himself intentionally in your path, a silent sentinel with an unspoken expectation.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajeFUakC9x
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdixz17gja
Shin-woo: (So it's this again. Might as well get it over with.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN1M9VehEN
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYrUTw1DC5
With no spoken command needed, you walk over, feeling the invisible tug of his presence. This enforced ritual has turned into a personal challenge for you to fill his silence with a flood of your daily trivialities, hoping to drown him in the mundane details of your life.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY324Qe6i85
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VKrgmcmRl
Today, you launch into an animated recount of your younger sibling’s latest antics, the words pouring out in a relentless stream.
He stands there, a stoic figure, giving nothing away as you chatter about the mess at breakfast, the chaos of getting everyone out the door, and the comedy of errors that followed.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrv7aQLstz
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqVIEnoE3Q
Shin-woo: (Maybe today’s the day he decides he’s had enough of my ramblings.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1ovHbGiOM
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKQ7PeEKvA
Your monologue drifts to the more tedious aspects of your day—how you nearly fell asleep in history class, the peculiar smell of the school cafeteria, or the peculiar way your pen keeps leaking.
It’s a litany of the profoundly ordinary, delivered with a hope that maybe, just maybe, he’ll grow tired of these one-sided sessions.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qeUWAEj8y
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJOCyUyjvg
Despite your efforts, In-woo remains as impassive as ever, his face a mask of indifference. Is he even listening, or are you just background noise to him?256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5TLAYsOXr
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOOWP4t1iP
Shin-woo: (Does he find this amusing, or is it just another way to exert control?)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCPJqyCGya
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6Sdvu9C4p
As the corridor empties, leaving echoes in its wake, your stories begin to run dry. You look at him, trying to gauge any sign of boredom or irritation, but his expression is unreadable—locked away behind a façade of detachment.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAju2I1Vl25
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwZWug9dcw
Finally, without a word, In-woo turns and begins to walk away, his departure as silent and enigmatic as his vigil.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6r38cJLDJ
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38CoP2gqch
Shin-woo: (What would he do if I just stopped talking one day?)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETpH93Nlnv
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdvxEl3wLi
You watch him disappear around the corner, the weight of unspoken questions lingering in the air. Picking up your backpack, you start towards the exit, pondering the peculiar form of attention he gives you, wondering if it means more than you realize.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfdL2daB2p
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMW8eDP260
Shin-woo: (Would he still find a reason to keep me around if I no longer played the part?)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJarOLmtFZ
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjg2uU3Xhmr
With that thought, you step out into the fading daylight, the mystery of In-woo’s intentions mingling with the crisp evening air.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoS3qJWXmGQ
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x6tzY9upS
[Transition]256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjFx4LCUV9
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPssLShnz0
You stride down the school corridor, your thoughts swirling with the conflicting emotions that have haunted you through the years. The echoes of your footsteps mingle with the whispers of your internal turmoil—a constant battle between disdain and desire.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuI5QkuMiC
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7CImrHiiW
Shin-woo: (Why does he have to be like this? Why can't I just hate him?)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH80EsVhqdc
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKvxkW3Iw1
As you pass by, your eyes catch sight of In-woo in the library, helping a younger student reach a book on a high shelf. His movements are graceful, effortless.
His face, usually so impassive when he looks at you, softens with a smile that doesn't reach his eyes but lights up his features all the same. The sight tugs at something deep within you.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QO4Q1bth5
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yNb1dqpPh
Shin-woo: (Look at him... even when he smiles, it's like he's not really there. But it's enough to make my heart skip, isn't it?)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0ZxIBwoC0
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1InL4rhcS7
You lean against the lockers, watching him interact with her—a stark contrast to how he treats you. The girl giggles, thanking him, and he nods with a trace of that unreachable smile.
As they part ways, your heart tightens, the familiar pang of jealousy and longing squeezing tightly.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpRp6uMCDl
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YLWMsALNC
Shin-woo: (Why her? What does she have that I don’t? It’s not like I want his kindness, but...)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03ZkVUvN5k
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Mj3AP0aol
The bell rings, pulling you from your reverie, but the image of his gentle smile lingers in your mind. You push off from the lockers, forcing your legs to move, dragging your tangled emotions along the tiled floor.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT9OaQ78SQ
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrt5yXWf89
Shin-woo: (He's so confusing... so frustrating. I hate how much I pay attention, but I can't stop. It's like being stuck in a loop, always back to square one with him.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Bvh3VKG9d
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMHO2LgTPO
As you turn the corner, your eyes inadvertently search for another glimpse of him, a habit you despise yet indulge in every time. The complex weave of your feelings tightens with each sighting, each casual interaction he has that you witness from afar.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz4aS3gGr3
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefBaxmu7ZS
Shin-woo: (And every time he's kind, every time he smiles at someone else, it feels like a small betrayal. Why do I even care? Why can't I just turn off these feelings?)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaSVi3Wzda
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ftL34qzed
You head to class, the weight of your unspoken questions and unresolved emotions clouding your mind like a fog that refuses to lift. Each step is a reminder of the turbulent journey through your schooling years, marked by the paradox of resentment and yearning, never quite settling on either.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlTERkinBb
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyVequoK6c
[Transition]256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWwl282woU
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK4VXZE5UD
Saturday morning unfolds slowly at your home, the air filled with the laughter and occasional squabbles of your younger siblings.
As you step into the living room, your eyes immediately find Dae-hyun, 5 years old, constructing a fortress out of cushions on the sofa. His eyes light up when he sees you, and a grin spreads across his face.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1LJRpJ6MO
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ47w95HPko
Dae-hyun: Hyeong! Help me make it bigger!256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oHmFa0IhI
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sRPHW0sE7
You can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm, bending down to assist him with his architectural endeavor. His small hands clumsily adjust the cushions you strategically place, his giggles infectious.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeuh2TvzRv
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGUqEy2uCK
Shin-woo: (He’s always so full of joy. How can he not make my day brighter?)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZRRpC28Gh
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ksw5Jm3dp
Next, you find Byung-ho, 6 years old, engrossed in a makeshift game of pirates, his toy sword swishing through the air as he navigates the treacherous carpet seas. He spots you and immediately recruits you as his first mate.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvB8Q27j8oB
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMQt2lcBbU
Byung-ho: You gotta help me find the treasure, or walk the plank!256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFZZ4A7mLS
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgY4pVvFzI
His expression is stern, but the twinkle in his eyes betrays his playful spirit. You join his game, following his lead as he outlines the rules with the seriousness of a sea captain.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NXy3gyyZm
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZO8L7gCHA
Shin-woo: (His imagination is boundless. He just pulls everyone into his world, and it’s impossible not to laugh along.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpOq50nMHp
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5umFi5m1Xs
Meanwhile, Iseul is at the kitchen table, working on her homework but clearly struggling to focus. Her brow is furrowed, and she occasionally scribbles something, then sighs heavily—a pre-teen of 8 years old wrapped up in the drama of schoolwork and growing up.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroSt2cEhqi
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DQVI7lyss
You approach, leaning over her shoulder to glance at the problem that’s causing her frustration.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJtuzfh7pr
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvznO0RxmZM
Shin-woo: Need some help?256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUFIKQlPEx
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MFWfhwVo3
Iseul looks up, her expression a mix of relief and stubborn independence.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkD6G6f80P
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J61kgqtJZ
Iseul: Maybe just a little. But I can do most of it myself!256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKdoaiCjpR
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiJVir6dRm
Her tone is a blend of the capricious pre-teen attitude you’re starting to see more often, but her eyes are grateful that you’re there to help.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ9PlCtCTj
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp4aZwN1ot
Shin-woo: (She’s at that tricky age, trying to be big but still needing her big brother.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaeGIZfg8L
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy7d3sQcsF
As you sit down to guide her through the math problem, explaining the steps with patient gestures, Dae-hyun clambers into your lap, snuggling close. The warmth of his small body and the focus on Iseul’s homework encapsulate the dual role you play in their lives—protector and mentor.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctSDTPTsd4
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7x0SYW3sf
Byung-ho’s victorious shout as he ‘finds’ his treasure fills the room, blending with Iseul’s relieved “Ah, I get it now!” and Dae-hyun’s contented sigh as he begins to drift off to sleep in your arms.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvpPvAkNal
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMbw0xSSYc
Shin-woo: (This is home. This is what keeps me grounded amidst everything else.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LZipgXocv
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweizNhXbmF
You balance the weight of your youngest brother in your arms with the weight of your family’s needs, the love you have for them making every challenge worthwhile.
Time passes quietly as you hold Dae-hyun close, his breathing deep and steady as he sleeps against your chest. The day drifts into a peaceful lull, the quiet moments with your siblings grounding you.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmlI1DD1zc
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNZWnRxHO4
Eventually, the stillness of the afternoon is broken by the soft creak of the front door. Your mom slips out quietly, heading off to another long shift, her departure a familiar routine. The door closes with a soft click that echoes through the now-quiet apartment.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sKeNF2lXA
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56HK1Fu2ZW
It’s a sound you’re all too familiar with, one that signals the start of another stretch where she’ll be at work, trying to keep everything together for the family.
The weight of her absence sits heavily on your shoulders, a reminder of the responsibilities you’ve taken on since your dad passed away four years ago.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8DKCgwTdG
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfnYumPb4k
Shin-woo: (She’s always so tired… She never complains, but I can see it. I just wish she didn’t have to work so hard.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMY1DaCAoT
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWsF1oIRjT
You glance around the small apartment, now eerily quiet without the usual hum of activity. It’s moments like this when you miss your mom the most—not just her presence, but the way she used to laugh more freely before everything became about surviving.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIFwvODCqS
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aU48CHh32
Shin-woo: (I don’t want to bother her with my problems. She’s dealing with enough as it is.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WFXza3AdW
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxfMgXqDQx
Your thoughts are interrupted by the familiar knock at the door. You already know who it is before you open it. Eun-ho, your childhood friend, stands there with a grin that could rival the sun.
He doesn’t need an invitation, stepping inside like he’s done a thousand times before. 256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP9TVdyVmM
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI2APTthU9
Eun-ho: Yo, you look like you’re thinking too much again. Time to knock that off.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CGq0HBgX3
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5TmmpwCvn
He drops his bag by the couch, plopping down like it’s his own home. In many ways, it is. The two of you have spent countless weekends and holidays here, filling the silence with laughter and mischief. Eun-ho’s presence always has a way of lightening the atmosphere, his energy infectious.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4NywGrrYj
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k8IGr0ERc
You roll your eyes at his usual teasing, but there’s comfort in it, in the familiarity of his banter.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7v1kVE4px
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzn8bEKxlDK
Shin-woo: (He always knows how to distract me, even when I don’t ask for it.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReJOy6bOAK
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmj1jLQZKks
You join him on the couch, and he immediately starts goofing around, poking you in the ribs until you’re both laughing like kids again. This is your escape—a brief reprieve from the worries that usually occupy your mind.
He throws an arm around your shoulders, his voice dropping into that playful tone he uses whenever he wants to get a rise out of you.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNMr24debD
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddRQWvGGjN
Eun-ho: So, what’s new with your boyfriend, In-woo? Still making you run all his errands?256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZ2ZCdbDSn
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2wbbm9vIl
You freeze for a second, shooting him a glare, but it lacks real heat. He’s the only person who knows about your complicated feelings for In-woo, and he’s never let you live it down.
But you also know it comes from a place of understanding, not judgment.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1BuLyCqHW
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjilOLPa9G
Shin-woo: He’s not my boyfriend, and you know it.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMoANMDif8
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYvuKdBt74
Eun-ho smirks, raising an eyebrow.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuLurf4Reu
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IV9d8VRf1
Eun-ho: Right, right. So, you’re just his unpaid assistant who happens to be head over heels for him?256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU3Jwbbm0s
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNoYsF84HD
You groan, leaning back against the couch, trying to will away the flush that creeps up your neck. He’s relentless, but that’s just who Eun-ho is. He knows how to push your buttons, but it’s also his way of showing he cares.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFy1bWaxBbn
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtLBL24lpI
Shin-woo: (He’s only teasing because he knows how I really feel… and because he’s probably right.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlrxssZ4JQ
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz3tnpjitv
The two of you settle into your usual routine—talking about everything and nothing, playing video games, and just enjoying the rare moments of peace when life doesn’t feel so heavy.
It’s these weekends that remind you you’re not alone, even when it feels like the world is on your shoulders.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrZ28EsbuW
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqjFWMbLxE
As the evening draws on, Eun-ho eventually falls asleep on the couch, his arm draped over his eyes to block out the light. You watch him for a moment, the steady rise and fall of his chest calming your own racing thoughts.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrML5RHFeB
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpBqxHZNIl
Shin-woo: (He’s always been there for me, even when I didn’t know I needed him.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWMUqFqhyJ
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLdIpLkRIG
You pull a blanket over him before heading to your room, the apartment now filled with the quiet sound of Eun-ho’s soft snores.
It’s not much, but these moments are enough to keep you going, to remind you that, no matter how tough things get, you’ve got someone in your corner.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqwBNwIH3t
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41x0zH12a1
And with that thought, you let yourself relax, knowing that tomorrow will bring its own challenges, but also knowing you won’t be facing them alone.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks0bKwIGgQ
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXtMxcfl11
[Transition]256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJJ15mRkHt
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuVh3DvNbB
It's spring, the season when the world outside bursts into color and life. As if on cue with the blooming flowers, In-woo has his own ritual.
Today, like many times before, he leads you to the old cherry blossom tree on the edge of the school grounds. The air is cool, but the sun dapples through the branches, casting playful shadows on the ground.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMagfW9t10
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVWlXn5su7
In-woo stretches out beneath the tree, his back against the grass, eyes closed in a serene expression. You settle next to him, not as relaxed, your body tense as you pretend to gaze outward at the scattered petals.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbKKInOmsd
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k4RkiM5xH
Shin-woo: (Every spring it’s the same, but I never tire of it. It’s the one time I can just look at him, really look, without fear of being caught.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0iNnZbEoh
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZQZYjXHPW
You shift slightly, turning to steal a glance at In-woo. His features are softened by the gentle sunlight, making him look almost peaceful, a stark contrast to his usual stoic demeanor.
The setting is almost too picturesque, him lying there without a care, and you sitting guard, watching over his repose. Your hair falls forward, a convenient veil that completely conceals your face from curious onlookers, allowing you to gaze at him unnoticed.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU12iY6Nsi
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEwkGZJSHG
His chest rises and falls with a rhythm that lulls you into a sense of tranquility you only find here, in these moments. Your heart beats a little faster as you allow your eyes to trace the lines of his face—the curve of his jaw, the gentle arch of his brows.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPa5D6EX8n0
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyUZnpSop9
Shin-woo: (He’s like some character from a story, too perfect to be real. And here I am, close enough to know it’s not all just a façade.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPgXGcETtg
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnMJDpkEix
Your hand inches closer to his, a subconscious desire to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality. But you stop halfway, pulling back before a touch can break the spell.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZwuV420Ih
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebdLICpu9a
In-woo stirs slightly, his eyelids fluttering but not opening, and you quickly avert your gaze, focusing on a random point on the ground. Your heart hammers in your chest, worried for a moment that he caught you staring.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhSTgbwWQx
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6TqcMs5Yk
Shin-woo: (One day, maybe, I’ll stop hiding this. But not today.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMW3SVPJVoE
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh93lGbmCQ
You draw in a deep breath, the scent of cherry blossoms filling your lungs, and settle in to enjoy the tranquility of the moment, however fleeting it may be.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04vdQ9Ieh0
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFDTsLtiuC
The fleeting serenity of your spring ritual with In-woo comes to an abrupt end as he springs to his feet, full of energy.
With a characteristic tug at your sleeve, he pulls you along to the next event of the day—a basketball match against a rival high school. In-woo's school has never lost to this team, thanks largely to his prowess on the court.
[Transition]256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5Gcz7HaeA
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccSc2UvcKa
You follow him to the gym, your role during these games well-practiced. You find your usual spot in the front row, armed with a bottle of water and a towel, essentials for In-woo during his breaks.
As you settle down, you feel the weight of numerous stares. Jealous glances from both girls and boys slice through the air towards you, their envy palpable. 256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsGkufbA97
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5RzPfM84K
Shin-woo: (Let them look. Let them wonder.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6U8MSLaRZ
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdAvm8d20i
Your lips curl into a smirk, one that doesn’t quite reach your eyes but serves its purpose. It's a small rebellion, a silent assertion of your place by his side, even if the nature of that place is misunderstood by onlookers.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQKEU0IHER
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFoqc3N6rH
As the game starts, In-woo transforms. On the court, he is not the stoic, unapproachable figure you spend your days with but a dynamic, almost untouchable force.
Each movement he makes is fluid and precise, his athleticism on full display. You can’t help but be captivated. 256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vva3feI04
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1MMkzObNN
Shin-woo: (Look at him... so confident, so skilled. It’s hard not to admire him—harder still not to want him.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugEfYYUQYr
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9jRvWtDmL
Your smile widens as he scores yet another basket, his team pulling further ahead. The crowd's cheers swell around you, a tumultuous sea of excitement and energy, but your focus remains solely on In-woo.
His shirt clings to him, damp with sweat, outlining muscles that shift and flex with every move. The sight sends a warm thrill through you.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKw7Y5GgVY
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLWp8T7N7n
Shin-woo: (He’s incredible. Not just as a player... but just him. Every time I think I’ve got my feelings under control, he does something to show me I’m far from over him.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCYdYNqE8t
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7ffbDjB5s
You clutch the water bottle tighter, anticipation building with each pause in the game when you know he’ll jog over to you for a quick refresh, his face alight with the thrill of the game, eyes finding yours for that brief moment that seems to stretch and bend in the air between you.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlBqHQf3n8
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtS3rOCDGp
Shin-woo: (Is it just the game, or is there something more in those quick, fleeting glances?)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kJoNB1DEj
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6PfSBcmC8
The whistle blows, snapping you out of your reverie, and he jogs over again, that same determined, competitive gleam in his eyes that somehow softens just a fraction when he looks at you.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb0F2JWfBh
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv0wjDfkjO
His chest heaving from exertion, you quickly stand, the towel and water bottle ready in your hands.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62BBBjitmE
His breathing is heavy, his gaze fixed on the towel you hold.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaWQ6AlSV0
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl24HU5utF
You hand him the towel first, watching as he wipes the sweat from his forehead and neck, his movements precise and calculated. There's an intensity to his actions, a focus that he carries from the court to even the simplest tasks.
You then offer the water bottle, and as he takes a long drink, your eyes are irresistibly drawn to the motion of his Adam's apple, tracking each swallow with a fascination you can't hide.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MVNQlInfJ
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5jLdI38yP
Shin-woo: (Every detail about him catches me off guard, pulls me in deeper than I want to admit.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBZ3omS2iw
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPRwIYRuRR
A droplet of water escapes, tracing a line down from the corner of his mouth to his neck. Your gaze follows the path of the water, lingering a moment too long.
Unconsciously, your tongue flicks out, wetting your own lips as if you could taste the salty sweetness of his effort from across the air between you.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJphYEF0tud
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejb1ZQpzjn
He pauses drinking, a brow arching as he catches your stare, the corner of his mouth twitching in an unreadable expression.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmITnuAYD9r
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp1twfYqkG
Shin-woo: (Caught. Why do I always get caught?)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlvPpZJwEn
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43kINU9FlI
His look is a mix of amusement and a challenge, a silent question about what exactly you find so captivating. Flustered, you scramble mentally, looking away briefly before meeting his eyes again, an attempt to regain some composure. 256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkR9kCZMCX
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX82YCZw9S2
Shin-woo: (Focus. He’s just a guy. Just a guy who happens to throw my world off its axis every time he looks at me.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfGIydAZfR
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU1KAf2Ljk
As he finishes drinking and hands back the bottle, the moment stretches taut between you. There’s an acknowledgment in his glance, a recognition of the unspoken tension that always seems to dance just on the edge of your interactions.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjvbbtweVT
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWPGlvMJye
Shin-woo: (What does he think in these moments? Does he see me... really see me?) 256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPftaBoOr5
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipWp2R9K56
He returns to the game without another word, leaving you to ponder the brief encounter, your heart pounding a little too loudly in your chest.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxUSVju5db
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlxN0YCrR1
The game resumes with its usual fervor, the crowd’s energy palpable as the players dart back and forth across the court. You watch, half-lost in the ebb and flow of the match, your nerves tight each time In-woo handles the ball.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdYnxHQyhX
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ6PqqB9V3
Shin-woo: (Just another game, just another win, hopefully.)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoodDERaEx
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKttc4vwvft
Your focus sharpens as Dylan, a notorious rival from the opposing team, enters into a direct contest with In-woo.
You know Dylan by reputation and unfortunate personal experience; he's the type who bristles at being overlooked, and his interactions with you have been uncomfortably forward, always trying to catch your eye with a wink or a smirk during games.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF5SvBlFbW
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNXchF80yb
Shin-woo: (Why can’t he just play the game without making it personal?)256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZizPb7T7o
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydi2rucKv5
Today, Dylan's antagonism is more palpable than ever. His taunts seem louder, aimed not just to unnerve In-woo but to draw a reaction from you as well.
However, In-woo, ever the stoic, ignores him, focused solely on the game. This only seems to infuriate Dylan further.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWhnPLngFd
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjGgzittTS
As the tension on the court builds, a sudden movement catches your eye—a deliberate, aggressive shove from Dylan. In-woo, caught off-guard, stumbles backward, his balance lost.
The world seems to slow down as In-woo's head makes a sickening thud against the metal basketball post. He crumples to the floor, motionless.256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgv7kivNOc
256Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEjc6OfzZJ
Shin-woo: (No, no, no... this can’t be happening.)
然後按「加至主畫面」